Play Street Pointers

Dip into our Play Street Pointers for tips and ideas for starting, running and keeping your play street going.

PSP1: Low cost – high value play

Forget the bouncy castles or giant jenga. If you really want to provide ‘stuff’, just fling a few boxes and old curtains on the street and watch what happens!

PLAY STREET POINTERS: Low cost - high value play

PSP2: Making play streets for everyone

Play streets are not just for children – arguably, adults get as much or even more out of them whether they are living with children or not.

PLAY STREET POINTERS: Making play streets for everyone

PSP3: Dealing with common challenges

Believe it or not, some of your neighbours may not immediately be overjoyed when you ask them what they think about starting a play street on your road. They have questions! Here are some common concerns people might raise with you and some answers you can give.

PSP3: Dealing with common challenges

Covid

UPDATED: Risk benefit guidance for post-lockdown play streets

To help residents minimise the risks of spreading Covid-19 on a play street as much as possible, London Play has compiled this risk-benefit guidance and template, based on those used in professional play settings.

Consult

Neighbour letter; play street consultation

Once you and your neighbours have decided on dates and times for your play street, you will need to formally let everyone on the street know and give them the opportunity to share their views. Download and adapt this template letter.

Information

Do we need insurance?

Most councils don’t insist on public liability insurance for play streets; but you will find many ‘strongly recommend’ it. So, what should you do?

PSP4: Consulting your neighbours

Most councils ask that you have the support of your neighbours before they will agree to your play street. So you will need to do some consultation. Check out our pointers.

PSP4: Consulting your neighbours

PSP5: Keeping it going

Until play streets become commonplace, they need committed adults to keep them going. That can be a challenge – but is not impossible.

PSP5: Keeping it going

PSP6: Rainy day play

There’s no such thing as the wrong weather, just the wrong clothing. Get out there and make a splash!

PSP6: Rainy day play

PSP7: Recruiting and retaining volunteers

The input of volunteers is vital to the ongoing success of a play street. So what needs to happen to keep them interested and involved.

PSP7: Recruiting and retaining volunteers

How does it work in your borough?

London is as diverse as it is wonderful and so it follows that the process for starting a play street varies a bit between boroughs. Click through to our interactive map and find out how it works where you live.

PLAY STREETS BY BOROUGH